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Jan TaranczukJan is an experienced housing professional, with more than 40 years’ experience spanning local authorities, housing associations, and ...more
We must not forget the failings that drove white paper electrical safety plans
The Social Housing White Paper could be a catalyst for change, but we must not forget the failings behind its proposals, writes Jan Taranczuk
Nearly a week on from the publication of the long-awaited Social Housing White Paper, raising awareness of this year’s Electrical Fire Safety Week has never felt more pertinent. The tragedies of Grenfell Tower, Lakanal House and Shepherd’s Court were all caused by electrical goods – a fridge-freezer, a television and a tumble dryer.
The breadth of many of the reforms featured in the white paper mean it could be some time before legislation is implemented, but the immediate launch of the consultation on domestic smoke and carbon monoxide alarms is one on which to act.
“How many people are also aware that more than half of all accidental domestic fires are caused by electrical products?”
The same risks in the private rented sector apply in the social rented sector, and although there is a clear willingness to extend the electrical standard regulations to provide much-needed parity across the two tenures, the debate as to how we safeguard all homes against faulty equipment is only just beginning.
The figure of 210,000 social rented homes not having working smoke alarms may have come as a shock to many reading the white paper, but I wonder how many people are also aware that more than half of all accidental domestic fires are caused by electrical products? Or that six times more residential fires are caused by electricity than by gas?
One of the white paper’s core aims – strengthening tenants’ voices – will be no easy task, especially since social landlords serve a more diverse group of individuals than many other sectors do. But the same level of innovation required to find a way of reflecting such a wide-ranging tenant base is required for fire safety.
Domestic fire safety challenges are ever-changing and as more people spend time at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the scale of the risk is increasing, particularly for those considered vulnerable. The days of taking a one-size-fits-all approach are long gone and every tenant should have suitable, adequate fire protection.
“The biggest killer resulting from fire was ‘being overcome by gas or smoke’”
Raising an alarm at the earliest possible time is definitely pivotal in mitigating the risk of a fire-related injury or fatality. However, this alone is unlikely to address the biggest killer resulting from fire – which in 2019/20 was ‘being overcome by gas or smoke’.
The Building Research Establishment (BRE) found that people were at greater risk of death or injury from fire if they lived alone, were vulnerable or elderly, fell or were asleep, had medical conditions or illnesses, or temporarily lacked physical mobility.
Implementing fire suppression technologies that can reduce temperatures and the build-up of smoke and toxic gases could saves lives. In fact, this was one of the 14 recommendations of the BRE’s report concerning safeguarding those most at risk.
Most social landlords are already taking steps to keep their residents safe, such as installing smoke alarms, but electrical fire safety data makes it clear that they can do more.
“One aim should be to raise tenants’ awareness of the importance of identifying potentially faulty electrical items”
One aim – not just of this week but the overarching education campaign to improve fire safety for everyone – should be to raise tenants’ awareness of the importance of identifying potentially faulty electrical items. However, this will only go so far.
So before yet another fire-related tragedy occurs, we should take advantage of existing technologies, to further reduce the number of lives unnecessarily put at risk.
Jan Taranczuk, strategic housing advisor, Plumis
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